Leicestershire and Rutland Walled Kitchen Gardens

Walled kitchen gardens are recognised as an important part of our social and garden history. In the past, most large country houses would have had a walled garden which provided vegetables, herbs, flowers and fruit for the entire household.

They were very labour-intensive, needing a large and skilled workforce. With the judicious use of south facing slopes, glasshouses and heating systems, the skilled gardeners could extend the growing season by several months, permitting produce that at the time was classed as “out of season” or indeed “exotic”. The entire garden would have been designed in such a way that everything from potatoes to apricots could be produced.

During the twentieth century many of them became surplus to requirements because of developments in technology, methods of food production, patterns of employment and the cost of maintenance. Whilst some walled gardens are being revived, many have disappeared or are being put to different uses.

Walled Kitchen Garden Register:

The Research Group is creating a Register of Walled Kitchen Gardens in Leicestershire and Rutland as they are an important part of our heritage. This will provide a permanent record of their history and development, as well as their current use.Click here to go to our Leicestershire and Rutland Walled Kitchen Gardens Register